World Cup 2026

[DGuller]

The red was deserved. It might have been an accident, but as a player you're responsible for your feet.

That's way too broad.  If someone puts their leg under your studs while you're walking, are you responsible for that as well, straight red card?  The reason the studs got to the ankle in the first place is because a foul by the Bosnian precipitated a collision which Balogun could not get out of.

[DGuller]

You can't have a serious foul play if you don't even have a foul.  It seemed like an accidental collision triggered in no small part by the foul of the other player.

From an ex-ref in The Athletic - who is sympathetic to your point. Commentary here was very much as soon as you see the slow-motion it's going to be a red card:

'Unlucky but inevitable' – an expert's view
Analysis by former Premier League referee Graham Scott

The introduction of VAR has created situations such as Balogun's red card.

He was dismissed for 'serious foul play', which deals with players who endanger the safety of an opponent. Historically, the law was invoked by referees when players went flying into tackles at high speed and out of control, without a moment's thought for the consequences.

Since we have had video review, the focus has shifted to the point of contact. Slow-motion replays and still images distort the offending player's actions, with innocuous tackles looking more serious.

By contrast, players who dive in, off the ground, with both feet can escape red cards if they happen to miss their opponent.

Lionel Messi's potential red card for Argentina against Algeria was a classic example. There is no intensity in his challenge, but the still images were ugly and on another day, he might have been sent off.

Balogun became a victim of this modern trend against Bosnia. His actions are all part of the normal rough and tumble of football, he is never out of control and the contact is accidental.

But the replays make for grim viewing, as Muharemovic's ankle buckles and he is clearly in distress — no simulation here.

I would prefer tackles like this to produce cautions at worst. Messi was let off completely, and there is nothing reckless about Balogun's actions either.

In the spirit of the law, Balogun was unlucky. But in its recent interpretation, a red card was inevitable.

That goes to another problem:  from what I understand, this is the exact reason why slow-motion replays should not be used for VAR review, unless the purpose is to establish a fact, like whether the player touched the ball.  Studs to ankle on its own is not a strict liability red card offence it's made out to be, so focusing on just that with slow-motion replay was an error in its own right.

[Zoupa]

That's way too broad.  If someone puts their leg under your studs while you're walking, are you responsible for that as well, straight red card?  The reason the studs got to the ankle in the first place is because a foul by the Bosnian precipitated a collision which Balogun could not get out of.

Disagree completely. Wasn't much contact from the bosnian prior, Balogun's foot slips a bit prior to catching the ankle but that's a red card any day of the week for the past 20 years.

[Josephus]

  

[Grey Fox]

England!!!!

[DGuller]

I guess that's what the fireworks were for.

[Zoupa]

It's not over yet.

And how can you not love Pickford.

[Josephus]

It's not over yet.

And how can you not love Pickford.

It certainly isn't.

[Grey Fox]

God, this sport is stupid.

[Josephus]

God, this sport is great

[Zoupa]

Is that a red, DGuller? lol

3-1 now. No contest penalty.

[Josephus]

God this sport is crazy

[Zoupa]

lol what a game. MEX penalty now. 23 minutes to go.

[Grey Fox]

Bis.

[DGuller]

It seems like by rules Mexico should've gotten a penalty, but it seems ridiculous to me that you can get a penalty by getting your leg between the ball and the defender's leg after they've already set the kick in motion.  I think penalties should never result from bad luck.